This Teenage Life

This Teenage Life is a podcast made by teens about their ideas, stories, and unique perspectives in the middle of their own growth as humans. Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], we love hearing from listeners.

Coding the Future 06/05/2025

Coding the Future Looking for a free, youth-run summer opportunity? Check out , a free, virtual, personalized program run by teens that helps other young people learn how to code. You can also email them at This Teenage Life will also be running some fun and creative clubs and workshops this summer. If you're interested in learning more, email us at . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/36866260

Throwback Episode — Periods 2.0 06/01/2025

Throwback Episode — Periods 2.0 Throwback episode on a popular topic...periods! In this episodes, teens share stories and reflections on getting their periods for the first time, navigating the logistics and their feelings about periods, and working to destigmatize menstruation. To hear our first episode on periods, check it out here on or . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/36809770

Throwback Episode — Self Care 05/12/2025

Throwback Episode — Self Care In this episode, we reflect on the idea of self care and the many ways we take care of ourselves without expensive products and "glow ups." We compare fancy routines and performances of self care on the internet with everyday actions we take to feel well-regulated and whole. We hope this episode brings you some joy and self-kindness during this Mental Health Month:) Please spread the love and share the show, subscribe, and, if you like the show, give us a 5-star review! /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/36531385

Posttraumatic Growth 04/26/2025

Posttraumatic Growth Grief, adversity, and trauma are common, formative human experiences that people move through and grow from. Yet, we often avoid talking about this process, making it harder to understand how people make meaning from grief. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) offers us a paradigm for how to make sense of hard experiences and move forward in ways that deepen our connections with ourselves and each other. In this episode, teens share their stories and we hear from Dr. Taryn Greene, a research psychologist who works with the Boulder Crest Foundation to study PTG. Check out Boulder Crest's , with opportunities to win funding to share your story. To learn more about posttraumatic growth, check out the resources below. And as always, if you want to reach out, email us at . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/36321505

Moving Past Diet Culture & Towards Real Nutrition 04/12/2025

Moving Past Diet Culture & Towards Real Nutrition How does diet culture negatively affect us? How does what we see on social media impact how we feel about what we eat? How do we move past diet culture towards more healthy relationships with food? In this episode, we develop more holistic framings of nutrition. Teens describe their negative experiences of diet culture and then share how they've worked to develop more positive associations with food and shared meals. In conversation with registered dietitian and program manager of ASU's Health Literacy Initiative, Natasha Burrell, we learn how to think more comprehensively about diet and health. This episode is sponsored by ASU's Learning Enterprise. To learn more about ASU and This Teenage Life's partnership, go to . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/36111375

Throwback Episode — Body + Beauty Insecurities 04/01/2025

Throwback Episode — Body + Beauty Insecurities Clear skin, "feminine features," "snatched bodies," — we’re often taught to associate our self worth with how we line up with societal expectations about beauty. In this throwback episode, we speak openly and honestly about our body insecurities, where they come from, and how we are working on them. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35962645

Throwback Episode — Parents Are People Too 03/19/2025

Throwback Episode — Parents Are People Too As kids, it’s often hard to see that parents are not just parents. They’re human beings who have their own needs, emotions, styles, fragilities, crushes, etc. In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes, we talk about moments when we began to discover that parents are, in fact, people too. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35747800

Music Nostalgia 03/12/2025

Music Nostalgia As we evolve as people, so does our relationship to music. In this episode, the teens discuss their own musical journeys - how their taste has changed, live music they've experienced, favorite songs, and how music helps build connection. To check out what our community is listening to these days, take a listen to our playlist on Spotify: /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35611575

Throwback Episode — Academic Pressure 03/05/2025

Throwback Episode — Academic Pressure In this throwback episode, we talk about our experiences of academic pressure and academic validation and how it makes us feel. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35546780

Teeth 02/27/2025

Teeth In this episode requested by listeners, the teens chat all about teeth! What its like to get braces, teeth insecurities, dentist stories, interesting rituals, and more. Even though we all have teeth, there are a variety of different experiences that come with that! /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35463965

Connecting With Nature 02/12/2025

Connecting With Nature Connecting with the natural world can bring about a spectrum of feelings, especially after spending most of the day inside at school or work. Even though it can be such a grounding and energizing experience, many of us struggle to find time to get outside. In this episode, the teens chat about how where they live impacts the way they connect with the natural world, how it feels when they do, and the impact of using nature to disconnect from the day to day grind. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35243675

Apply to the National Contribution Project! 02/07/2025

Apply to the National Contribution Project! We are excited to announce that for folks age 14-25 living in the United States, you are eligible to participate in this next round of the National Contribution Project. Learn more and apply at Applications are due February 21st. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35193800

Friend Breakups 2 02/05/2025

Friend Breakups 2 In this "part 2" of our episodes on friend breakups, the teens explore the emotional dimensions of losing friends. How does it feel to be distant from someone you used to be so close to? What can we do to get closure at the end of a relationship? How can we heal emotionally? /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/35132385

Throwback Episode — Too Muchness 01/29/2025

Throwback Episode — Too Muchness Here at This Teenage Life, we’ve uncovered a phenomenon called “too muchness.” It’s a fear of being “too much” that can lead to self policing that holds us back from being our authentic selves. In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes, we talk about our fears and critiques of “too muchness,” how it feels, and where we think it comes from. If you are looking to join a community that will embrace you for who you are, please consider joining one of our new dialogue groups! We would love to get to know you and provide a warm, supportive environment to connect with other young people. Send us an email at /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34997555

Throwback Episode — Comfort 01/24/2025

Throwback Episode — Comfort It's a tough time. Fires. Political turmoil. When we're at home and feeling sad, angry, or anxious, what are some strategies we use to comfort ourselves? In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes of This Teenage Life, we discuss what we do to make ourselves feel better. If you are looking to add comfort to your life, please consider joining one of our new dialogue groups! We would love to get to know you and provide a warm, supportive environment to connect with other young people. Send us an email at /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34996720

Processing Embarrassment 01/15/2025

Processing Embarrassment Even though we all experience it, embarrassment is not a fun feeling. For some folks, they just want to disappear. For others, the embarrassment continues long after the moment is over, as they relive the event in their heads. In this episode, the teens discuss how they deal with being embarrassed and share their favorite stories. What does it feel like? What about those painfully awkward moments? How can we move on? /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34840375

To Our Friends Affected by the LA Wildfires 01/13/2025

To Our Friends Affected by the LA Wildfires Sending our support to our friends affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. We are here for you. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34840430

Moving On 12/25/2024

Moving On As a teenager, it can feel like you are constantly moving on from things - hobbies, friends, schools, ways of thinking, and more. This can be exciting, but also sad or confusing. In this episode, the teens discuss things they've had to move on from and the emotional dimensions of the process. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34581170

Navigating College Applications 12/16/2024

Navigating College Applications For folks applying to college in the United States, applications are almost due! This time can feel incredibly stressful and overwhelming, but having conversations with peers going through the same thing can help. In today's episode, the teens discuss various aspects of college applications - financial aid, social comparison, finding support, and advice that helped them. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34433160

"Boy" Culture and Friendship 12/10/2024

"Boy" Culture and Friendship Cultivating friendships and authentic connection can serve as an antidote to loneliness and mental health challenges. How can we harness these skills in a society that prioritizes independence and rising to the top? In this episode, sponsored by Learning Enterprise at Arizona State University, we talk with young men about masculinity, vulnerability, and close relationships. We also interview Dr. Niobe Way, a developmental psychologist and author, about her research into "boy culture," friendship, and building connection. To learn more about ASU and This Teenage Life's partnership, go to To learn more about Dr. Way's research and read her work, visit /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34347310

Exploring Masculinity and Mental Health 11/29/2024

Exploring Masculinity and Mental Health Mental health stigma remains a major issue in combating loneliness and the mental health crisis, and research shows that men are significantly less likely to seek help. In this episode, sponsored by Learning Enterprise at Arizona State University, we talk with young men about mental health and masculinity. We also interview Dr. Ben Harris, a clinical psychologist, about his experiences working with adolescent boys and how he fosters connection through group therapy. We hope this episode works to normalize vulnerability and checking in with those close to you, in spite of societal norms and pressures. To learn more about ASU and This Teenage Life's partnership, go to ------ Mental health resources: : call 988 (available 24/7, and available in Spanish, Russian, Tagalong, French, and Mandarin) : confidential support for those in emotional crisis or distress /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34156615

Cooking, Baking, & Beyond 11/22/2024

Cooking, Baking, & Beyond Cooking, baking, and consuming delicious meals can be incredibly fulfilling acitvities, especially when they are shared with loved ones. To celebrate Thanksgiving next week in the United States, this episode is all about food. Our teen participants discuss their relationships to cooking or baking, kitchen disasters, holiday traditions, and meals that bring comfort. We are also joined by Sarah Clapp, a producer from Milk Street Radio, who discusses what its like having a career in the culinary arts. To listen and learn more about Milk Street Radio, you can visit their website: /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/34112771

Grappling With Failure 11/11/2024

Grappling With Failure Everyone experiences failure at some point in their life, but it can be difficult to talk about. Failure can make a person feel uncomfortable, or angry, or full of self-doubt. In this episode, This Teenage Life participants discuss what they think failure is, share stories of times they have "failed," and explore how they cultivate resilience in their lives. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33879927

Engaging In Purposeful Projects 10/29/2024

Engaging In Purposeful Projects In this episode, we chat with folks who have recently engaged in , a nationwide initiative where young people affiliated with partner organizations get funded to pursue projects that matter to them. We learn about the projects people chose, how they felt along the way, and why contribution matters. Thank you to the , a project incubated by , for sponsoring this episode. The Purpose Commons is a dynamic learning network where collaborators across the youth development ecosystem work together on projects that put the science of purpose to work for young people. Their vision is to create a world in which every young person has the opportunity to cultivate their sense of purpose, and change their worlds for the better. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33669087

TTL Talks: Jacquie 10/24/2024

TTL Talks: Jacquie In this new series, we chat with individual TTL participants about their life as a teenager in this exact moment. This episode features Jacquie, a teen in Zimbabwe, as she discusses new advocacy opportunities, difficult situations at school, public speaking and more. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33602792

Interfaith Club 10/16/2024

Interfaith Club With unfolding conflicts throughout the world and increasing polarization throughout the U.S., questions of how to engage in dialogue and connect across differences, become increasingly important. In this episode, you hear from two teens, Easha and Daniel, who have forged a deep friendship and co-created an interfaith club at their school, which centers dialogue, storytelling, and empathy. Thank you to Easha and Daniel for you're work, and to Facing History and Ourselves for your support. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33481457

Grind Culture: Productivity Pressures, Social Media, and Burnout 10/10/2024

Grind Culture: Productivity Pressures, Social Media, and Burnout On this World Mental Health Day, a groundbreaking study has been published about how social media intersects with various pressures teens feel (e.g. the pressure to have a game plan, to achieve, to be good friends, to look certain ways, etc.). In this episode, we hear from teens themselves about their experiences of these pressures, and then we hear from researchers from the Center for Digital Thriving, Common Sense Media, and Indiana University about teen feelings of pressure and burnout on a national scale. To learn more about this research, check out and the . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33392172

Cultivating A Sense of Purpose 10/07/2024

Cultivating A Sense of Purpose In this episode, the teens describe moments when they feel purposeful and their understandings of the idea of purpose. We speak with Dr. Tony Burrow, a professor who studies purpose and researches the health benefits of purpose. Through his research, Dr. Burrow helps us reframe and examine the many benefits of cultivating senses of purpose. You can learn more about Dr. Burrows work . Thank you to the , a project of , for sponsoring this episode. The Purpose Commons is a dynamic learning network where collaborators across the youth development ecosystem work together on projects that put the science of purpose to work for young people. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33333822

Thoughts On Creative Careers 09/27/2024

Thoughts On Creative Careers In a world with so much pressure to excel academically, make family proud, and maintain financial stabiliity, it can feel difficult to pursue creative passions. These passions often get pushed aside as school and career planning takes over. But what if creativity is part of your job? In this episode, the teens share their thoughts on favorite creative practices, how that's changed as they've gotten older, and whether or not they plan to pursue their creative passions in the future. We also chat with Peter Ha, a graphic designer in Canada, about what its like to pursue a creative career. He shares his journey of getting into the design field, thoughts on external pressures, and advice for young creatives. For more information on Peter, visit his and . /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33235222

Teenage Bucket List 09/20/2024

Teenage Bucket List Many of us grew up consuming tv, movies, or social media that portrayed teenagehood in a very specific way - parties, sweet 16 birthdays, first kisses, drivers licenses, sleepovers, and more! There can be pressure to do all these things while still a teenager, but is this realistic? In this episode, the teens discuss how they approach the typical "teenage bucket list," grapple with stress to be a certain way, and live authentically in the present. /episode/index/show/thisteenlife/id/33148087

This Teenage Life

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